FAQ

About JAF at Your School JAF Contests AATF-Boutique Annual Report Élan Archive FAQ

JAF Basics 
No worries! There are three basic requirements to starting and maintaining an active JAF charter.
These steps and requirements are laid out in detail on the "JAF at Your School" page here (which is also linked above in the tab navigation under the same name) - we recommend bookmarking this!
A Webinar was conducted with instructions on the benefits of having an honor society and how to start a JAF Charter. Click HERE to access the recording and presentation.
The Jeunes Amis Du Français [JAF] is the National French Honor Society for elementary, middle, and junior high students. The local school charter provides a vehicle to focus activities around French language and Francophone literatures and cultures, and to encourage participation in the annual writing contest.  In addition, students can acquire leadership skills by serving as officers, directing the initiation ceremony, or leading other charter events.
The establishment of a charter of the Jeunes Amis Du Français offers several benefits to beginning, dual language, and immersion French programs. It provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding scholarship in the study of French, encourage learning about Francophone cultures, and to wear the honor society’s official regalia.
Academic JAF Charters - basic induction requirements:
  • Middle school or Junior High School student who is enrolled in a French class and is in the 8th grade or lower
  • Be enrolled in a full academic year of French study 
  • Maintain an excellent academic record with an A- (A minus) average in French or higher (or the equivalent grade)
  • Complete at least one service project to benefit the school and/or community (project as determined by the JAF sponsor)
Cultural JAF Charters - basic induction requirements:
  • Middle school or Junior High School student who is enrolled in a French class and is in the 8th grade or lower
  • Fulfill two service projects to benefit the school and/or community (projects as determined by the JAF sponsor)

Jeunes Amis du Français charters may determine their own projects in accordance with school and community needs.

The National JAF Constitution lays out in further detail who is eligible for membership with the French Honor Society, eligibility in specific circumstances (e.g.: transfer students, students who are home-schooled, etc.), and other JAF policies.

  • The complete text of the JAF National Constitution may be found here

If you wish to create your own local school-level JAF Constitution, you are encouraged to do so. Please note, local chapter constitutions may exceed the above requirements, but not lower the requirements for JAF membership.
JAF Merchandise Orders
In order to ensure that members receive their merchandise in a timely fashion, a third party called the AATF Boutique handles all ordering/invoicing/fulfillment of JAF merchandise and pre-printed certificates. 
More information on how to order and where can be found here
The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) is the only national association devoted exclusively to the needs of French teachers at all levels. Our community of French educators at all levels works to promote and defend French programs, create and disseminate useful materials for the classroom, and provide opportunities to recognize professional excellence and student achievement.
The AATF sponsors the National French Contest, Société Honoraire de Français, Jeunes Amis du Français, and National French Week and publish the French Review and the National Bulletin.
The AATF-Boutique is a third party organization (National Awards) who handles all orders and order fulfillment of items found on their site here. The majority of JAF materials (apparel, pins, drinkware, etc.) are processed by the AATF-Boutique.
The purchase of any item in the AATF-Boutique is optional.
In 2022, the SHF National Council recognized the need for a better option to support the growing needs of JAF sponsors. It was decided to contract with the AATF-Boutique (run by National Awards) for the fulfillment of JAF merchandise, pre-printed certificates, and a variety of other products. This allows for a wider selection of items with which to honor the student members of the JAF Charters. The better pricing for these items and the faster turn around time for order fulfillment were also considered to be beneficial to the AATF members.
Unfortunately, because the AATF Boutique is run by a third party, we do not have access to their invoicing/fulfillment system nor do we have access to the back end of the website to reset passwords. 
For specific questions about your order, please call 1-800-748-8663

Adding Students to the JAF/JAF Inductions
Students are inducted into the JAF through the AATF website.
There are three basic requirements to starting and maintaining an active JAF chapter which must be met first, which are laid out in detail on the "JAF at Your School" page here (which is also linked above in the tab navigation under the same name) - we recommend bookmarking this.
Please review requirements 1 & 2 and ensure they are completed, then you will be able to induct students as detailed in the third step.
Due to the high volume of orders during peak JAF Induction times, order processing can take as long as 5 business days.
All orders must be manually processed to ensure compliance with our order guidelines:
  • JAF Charter status confirmed 
  • JAF Sponsor name confirmed
  • Ensure proper recording of student names for AATF/JAF records
  • Any discrepancies addressed and updated
AATF does not share the list of student names who have been previously inducted because of privacy and safety concerns. 
The SHF Secretary is able to confirm membership on specific students as requested by the JAF sponsor.
To ensure proper recording of the student on the records of JAF and grant official JAF membership.
The purchase of a physical certificate is optional. 
The JAF Induction Fee of $4 per student is for official JAF membership. Student names are recorded when orders are processed. A certificate template is emailed to the JAF sponsor upon processing completion of the JAF Induction Fee order. JAF Induction Fee products can be accessed HERE. (Please note users must be logged into their AATF account to view/purchase JAF Induction Fees)
These certificates are available to be personalized and printed, at your school or local print shop, for students whose induction fees were included in this paid order. Certificates look nice when printed in color on a heavier paper like card stock. 
If physical certificates are desired, click HERE for information on the AATF-Boutique.
According to the National JAF Constitution: The fee for student membership in the Jeunes Amis du Français is payable at the time of induction. This fee is payable once, and the inductee remains a member of the Jeunes Amis du Français as long as they are a student in good standing. Once students reach the high school level of instruction, they become an alumni member of Jeunes Amis du Français.
Some schools elect to have students be re-inducted each year according to their local JAF Constitution. In an effort to support the local JAF Constitutions of different schools, the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th year induction fees are available.

JAF Charters
The following must happen for an JAF Charter to remain active:
  • JAF Sponsors must have current AATF membership
  • JAF Charters must induct at least one (1) student every 2 years

It is strongly encouraged for JAF Sponsors to fill out an Annual Report each year.

Not sure if your chapter is active? Check the Active JAF Chapter Directory Here

If there is an inactive charter at the school, a JAF Charter Application must be submitted and a $10 fee needs to be paid to reactivate the charter.

  • JAF Charters Reactiviations can be purchased online using credit card, purchase order, or check:
    • Here via our online store [please note: users must be logged in to the site in order to purchase]
      • If you wish to pay via PO or check, please order through the store and select "invoice" at purchase.
      • The invoice can be used to generate POs or cut a check.
        • Please mail payment to 7333 W Jefferson Ave, Suite 240 Lakewood, CO 8023

Still have additional questions after reviewing the FAQ? We're happy to help! Please contact the Honor Society Secretary.